EP0591394A1 - Fifth wheel cover - Google Patents

Fifth wheel cover

Info

Publication number
EP0591394A1
EP0591394A1 EP92914350A EP92914350A EP0591394A1 EP 0591394 A1 EP0591394 A1 EP 0591394A1 EP 92914350 A EP92914350 A EP 92914350A EP 92914350 A EP92914350 A EP 92914350A EP 0591394 A1 EP0591394 A1 EP 0591394A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
wheel
bearing plate
tail portions
cover
wheel cover
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
EP92914350A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Gilles N. Picard
Roelof C. Rietel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
5TH BOOT INDUSTRIES Inc
5th Boot Ind Inc
Original Assignee
5TH BOOT INDUSTRIES Inc
5th Boot Ind Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by 5TH BOOT INDUSTRIES Inc, 5th Boot Ind Inc filed Critical 5TH BOOT INDUSTRIES Inc
Publication of EP0591394A1 publication Critical patent/EP0591394A1/en
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D53/00—Tractor-trailer combinations; Road trains
    • B62D53/04—Tractor-trailer combinations; Road trains comprising a vehicle carrying an essential part of the other vehicle's load by having supporting means for the front or rear part of the other vehicle
    • B62D53/08—Fifth wheel traction couplings
    • B62D53/0885—Comprising devices to limit or to compensate for wear or excessive play; Lubricating, shock absorbing, bearing devices, or the like

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a fifth wheel cover.
  • it relates to an anti-friction cover for a fifth wheel.
  • a fifth wheel on a tractor for hitching a trailer to the tractor. It comprises a bearing plate located in a horizontal position with two flanges extending rearwardly of the tractor and sloped downwards towards the back to enable the tractor to slide underneath the trailer.
  • a downwardly extending kingpin is provided on the trailer to engage with the central kingpin opening on the bearing plate which is located between the flanges.
  • the trailer has a flat bearing surface on its underside around the kingpin to match the bearing surface of the bearing plate on the tractor. Lubrication is provided between the bearing surfaces.
  • a fifth wheel cover comprising a substantially sheet-like member having a circular portion and a pair of tail portions extending from one side of the circular portion for covering the bearing plate and sloped flanges of a fifth wheel of a tractor, and a central kingpin opening between the tail portions, and wherein a cup portion is provided at the end of each tail portion for receiving the rear ends of said sloped flanges therein, and at least one hook formation on the side of the circular portion opposite the tail portions is provided for engaging with the rim of the fifth wheel to thereby secure the cover on the fifth wheel, said circular and tail portions and said cup and hook formations being integrally moulded from an anti-friction synthetic plastic material.
  • Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view of a fifth wheel cover according to the invention
  • Figure 2 is a plan view of the cover of Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a side view of the cover of Figure 1;
  • Figure 4 is a fractional side view of the cover showing details of hook formations thereon;
  • Figure 5 is a section taken along the lines V-V in Figure 2.
  • Figure 6 is a section taken along the lines VI-VI in Figure 3.
  • reference numeral 10 generally indicates a fifth wheel cover which is in the form of a sheet-like member having a circular portion 12 and a pair of tail portions 14 extending from one side of the circular portion 12 for covering the bearing plate and sloped flanges of a fifth wheel.
  • a central kingpin opening 16 is provided between the tail portions 14.
  • a cup formation 18 is provided at the end of each tail portion 14 for receiving the rear ends of the sloped flanges of the fifth wheel therein.
  • a pair of hook formations 20 is provided opposite the tail portions 14 for engaging with the rim of the fifth wheel to secure the cover 10 in position on the fifth wheel.
  • each hook formation 20 comprises a downwardly extending portion 20.1 for seating against the outer periphery of the fifth wheel bearing plate, and inwardly extending portion 20.2 for contacting the underside rim of the bearing plate and an upwardly extending lip portion 20.3 for seating against the inner side of the bearing plate rim.
  • the cover 10 is moulded from an anti-friction synthetic plastic material, such as polyurethane, nylon or a polycarbonate.
  • the thickness of the circular portion is about 1/8 inch thus avoiding an excessive thickness which could interfere with the proper operation of the fifth wheel attachment.
  • the cover 10 is placed over the fifth wheel without any time consuming installation or hole drilling being required.
  • the cup formations 18 of the tail portions 14 are engaged with the flanges of the fifth wheel attachment and thereafter the hook formations 20 are engaged with the rim of the bearing plate on the opposite side of the tail portions.

Abstract

Un couvercle (10) de sellette d'accouplement comprend un élément sensiblement en forme de feuille pourvu d'une partie circulaire (12) et d'une paire de parties de queue (14) s'étendant à partir d'un côté de la partie circulaire (12) afin de recouvrir la plaque de support et les rebords inclinés de la sellette. Une ouverture (16) pour un pivot central est ménagée entre les parties de queue (14). Une partie cupuliforme (18) est prévue au bout de chaque partie de queue (14) afin que les extrémités arrière des rebords inclinés viennent s'y loger. Au moins un crochet (20) est prévu sur le côté de la partie circulaire (12) vis-à-vis des parties de queue (14) afin de prendre appui sur le bord de la sellette et de fixer le couvercle sur cette dernière. Le couvercle est moulé d'une seule pièce en un matériau plastique synthétique antifriction.A coupling saddle cover (10) includes a substantially sheet-like member with a circular portion (12) and a pair of tail portions (14) extending from one side of the shaft. circular part (12) to cover the support plate and the inclined edges of the saddle. An opening (16) for a central pivot is provided between the tail portions (14). A cup-shaped part (18) is provided at the end of each tail part (14) so that the rear ends of the inclined edges come to be lodged there. At least one hook (20) is provided on the side of the circular part (12) vis-à-vis the tail parts (14) in order to bear on the edge of the saddle and to fix the cover on the latter. The cover is molded in one piece from a synthetic anti-friction plastic material.

Description

FIFTH WHEEL COVER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a fifth wheel cover. In particular, it relates to an anti-friction cover for a fifth wheel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A fifth wheel on a tractor is provided for hitching a trailer to the tractor. It comprises a bearing plate located in a horizontal position with two flanges extending rearwardly of the tractor and sloped downwards towards the back to enable the tractor to slide underneath the trailer. A downwardly extending kingpin is provided on the trailer to engage with the central kingpin opening on the bearing plate which is located between the flanges. The trailer has a flat bearing surface on its underside around the kingpin to match the bearing surface of the bearing plate on the tractor. Lubrication is provided between the bearing surfaces. Although grease has been used for this purpose, the use of a Teflon plate attached to the bearing plate, such as described in U.S. Patent 4,542,912, has been proposed. However, this method suffers from the disadvantage that the installation thereof is time-consuming. A further disadvantage is that holes need to be drilled in the bearing plate to install the Teflon plate. This causes weakening of the bearing plate. The thickness of the Teflon plate also causes problems due to the fact that the kingpin is, in some instances, not long enough to accommodate the plate between the bearing surfaces. This can cause breakage of the attachment. It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a fifth wheel cover which is easy to instal and does not require the drilling of holes into the bearing plate surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided a fifth wheel cover comprising a substantially sheet-like member having a circular portion and a pair of tail portions extending from one side of the circular portion for covering the bearing plate and sloped flanges of a fifth wheel of a tractor, and a central kingpin opening between the tail portions, and wherein a cup portion is provided at the end of each tail portion for receiving the rear ends of said sloped flanges therein, and at least one hook formation on the side of the circular portion opposite the tail portions is provided for engaging with the rim of the fifth wheel to thereby secure the cover on the fifth wheel, said circular and tail portions and said cup and hook formations being integrally moulded from an anti-friction synthetic plastic material.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described by way of an example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view of a fifth wheel cover according to the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the cover of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a side view of the cover of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a fractional side view of the cover showing details of hook formations thereon;
Figure 5 is a section taken along the lines V-V in Figure 2; and
Figure 6 is a section taken along the lines VI-VI in Figure 3.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally indicates a fifth wheel cover which is in the form of a sheet-like member having a circular portion 12 and a pair of tail portions 14 extending from one side of the circular portion 12 for covering the bearing plate and sloped flanges of a fifth wheel. A central kingpin opening 16 is provided between the tail portions 14. A cup formation 18 is provided at the end of each tail portion 14 for receiving the rear ends of the sloped flanges of the fifth wheel therein. A pair of hook formations 20 is provided opposite the tail portions 14 for engaging with the rim of the fifth wheel to secure the cover 10 in position on the fifth wheel. The hooks are symmetrically arranged with respect to the kingpin opening 16 and each hook formation 20 comprises a downwardly extending portion 20.1 for seating against the outer periphery of the fifth wheel bearing plate, and inwardly extending portion 20.2 for contacting the underside rim of the bearing plate and an upwardly extending lip portion 20.3 for seating against the inner side of the bearing plate rim.
The cover 10 is moulded from an anti-friction synthetic plastic material, such as polyurethane, nylon or a polycarbonate.
The thickness of the circular portion is about 1/8 inch thus avoiding an excessive thickness which could interfere with the proper operation of the fifth wheel attachment.
In use, the cover 10 is placed over the fifth wheel without any time consuming installation or hole drilling being required. The cup formations 18 of the tail portions 14 are engaged with the flanges of the fifth wheel attachment and thereafter the hook formations 20 are engaged with the rim of the bearing plate on the opposite side of the tail portions.
While only a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described herein in detail, the invention is not limited thereby and modifications can be made within the scope of the attached claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A fifth wheel cover comprising a substantially sheet¬ like member having a circular portion and a pair of tail portions extending from one side of the circular portion for covering the bearing plate and sloped flanges of the fifth wheel, and a central kingpin opening between the tail portions, a cup portion being provided at the end of each tail portion for receiving the rear ends of said sloped flanges therein, and at least one hook formation on the side of the circular portion opposite the tail portions for engaging with the rim of the fifth wheel to thereby secure the cover on the fifth wheel, said circular and tail portions and said cup and hook formations being integrally moulded from an anti¬ friction synthetic plastic material.
2. The fifth wheel cover according to claim 1, wherein the synthetic plastic material is selected from a group consisting of polyurethane, nylon and a polycarbonate.
3. The fifth wheel cover according to claim 2, wherein the hook formation comprises a downwardly extending portion for seating against the outer periphery of the fifth wheel bearing plate and an inwardly extending portion for contacting the underside rim of the bearing plate and an upwardly extending lip portion for seating against the inner side of the bearing plate rim.
4. The fifth wheel cover according to claim 3, wherein a pair of said hook formations is provided, the hook formations being arranged symmetrically with respect to said central king pin opening.
5. The fifth wheel cover according to claim 4, wherein the covered portion is about 1/8 inch thick.
EP92914350A 1991-07-03 1992-07-02 Fifth wheel cover Ceased EP0591394A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US725458 1985-04-22
US07/725,458 US5165713A (en) 1991-07-03 1991-07-03 Fifth wheel cover
PCT/CA1992/000276 WO1993001079A1 (en) 1991-07-03 1992-07-02 Fifth wheel cover

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0591394A1 true EP0591394A1 (en) 1994-04-13

Family

ID=24914647

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP92914350A Ceased EP0591394A1 (en) 1991-07-03 1992-07-02 Fifth wheel cover

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US5165713A (en)
EP (1) EP0591394A1 (en)
JP (1) JPH07500062A (en)
AU (1) AU2242092A (en)
CA (1) CA2064416A1 (en)
WO (1) WO1993001079A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2705310B1 (en) * 1993-05-17 1995-10-06 Sevrin Olivier Magnetic device for attaching a self-lubricating device for trailer coupling.
US5431424A (en) * 1994-04-07 1995-07-11 Colwell; J. Bruce Fifth wheel slip plate
US5522613A (en) * 1994-09-28 1996-06-04 Holland Hitch Company Self lubicating fifth wheel hitch
US5536031A (en) * 1995-02-27 1996-07-16 Hurley; Rodney H. Fifth wheel cover
US5720492A (en) * 1995-08-25 1998-02-24 Wanzenried; Walter Rigid fifth wheel cover and carrying box
US5702717A (en) * 1995-10-25 1997-12-30 Macromed, Inc. Thermosensitive biodegradable polymers based on poly(ether-ester)block copolymers
GB2324073A (en) * 1997-01-25 1998-10-14 Omega Holdings Ltd Liner for articulated vehicle couplings
US6010141A (en) * 1997-08-06 2000-01-04 Global Polymer Industries, Inc. Molded bearing plate assembly
US6004573A (en) * 1997-10-03 1999-12-21 Macromed, Inc. Biodegradable low molecular weight triblock poly(lactide-co-glycolide) polyethylene glycol copolymers having reverse thermal gelation properties
DE19814274A1 (en) * 1998-03-31 1999-10-07 Jost Werke Ag Fifth wheel
US7018645B1 (en) 2000-04-27 2006-03-28 Macromed, Inc. Mixtures of various triblock polyester polyethylene glycol copolymers having improved gel properties
US7025986B2 (en) * 2002-02-11 2006-04-11 International Tape Partners Llc Micromesh interproximal devices
US20060243297A1 (en) * 2005-04-29 2006-11-02 Brown Dale G Coated monofilament oriented HDPE dental tapes
US20070190090A1 (en) * 2006-02-07 2007-08-16 Whitehill Oral Technologies, Inc. Sialagogue based oral care products
US7530589B1 (en) * 2006-07-07 2009-05-12 Fontaine International Fifth wheel assembly with removable bearing plate
US7703791B2 (en) * 2006-11-03 2010-04-27 Varjassy Joseph A Fifth wheel cover
DE102008006204B4 (en) * 2008-01-26 2011-03-17 Jost-Werke Gmbh vehicle clutch
FR2936770B1 (en) * 2008-10-03 2011-08-26 Michel Garrabos DEVICE HIDDEN SADDLE.
EP2412616A1 (en) 2010-07-26 2012-02-01 Cequent Performance Products, Inc. Fifth wheel hitch skid plate cover
US20120193890A1 (en) * 2011-01-28 2012-08-02 Kim David Rogers Fifth Wheel Trailer Hitch Cover

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3924909A (en) * 1975-01-20 1975-12-09 Amsted Ind Inc Fifth wheel
US4121853A (en) * 1977-06-22 1978-10-24 Mckay Roy H Fifth wheel bearing attachment
US4169635A (en) * 1978-02-17 1979-10-02 Eastern Tool & Machine, Inc. Fifth wheel bearing plate cover
ATE10080T1 (en) * 1981-02-21 1984-11-15 Walter Hunger FIFTH FIFTH COUPLING.
US4457531A (en) * 1982-08-31 1984-07-03 Huenger Walter Trailer coupling
CA1194515A (en) * 1983-02-28 1985-10-01 Andre St. Louis Tractor fifth wheel bearing attachment
FR2584670B1 (en) * 1985-07-15 1989-12-29 Mamery Gaby SELF-LUBRICATING DEVICE FOR HITCHING SEMI-TRAILER MACHINES
DE3530467A1 (en) * 1985-08-27 1987-03-05 Walter Hunger Fifth-wheel coupling
US4752081A (en) * 1987-08-31 1988-06-21 Reeners Donald G Fifth wheel bearing plate cover with inboard protective skip plates
DE3741330A1 (en) * 1987-12-06 1989-06-15 Jost Werke Gmbh Fifthwheel coupling
US4946184A (en) * 1989-02-15 1990-08-07 American Made, Inc. Antifriction trailer coupling assembly

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9301079A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US5165713A (en) 1992-11-24
AU2242092A (en) 1993-02-11
WO1993001079A1 (en) 1993-01-21
JPH07500062A (en) 1995-01-05
CA2064416A1 (en) 1993-01-04

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Legal Events

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18R Application refused

Effective date: 19951021